Studying Psalms 7-11

1. Observation
You could have noticed that David began Psalm 7-11 all with 'O Lord', whether it is:

- Asking God to cover him in danger/accusation (Ps 7, 11)
- Proclaiming the majesty of God (Ps 8)
- Praising God in times of adversary (Ps 9)
- Asking God to come near and reveal again (Ps 10)

2. Inference
This tells me:
- God was the first thing in David's mind (and heart) in every situation.
- He chose to 'O Lord' rather than 'Oh dear, oh no'.
- He focused on God and not the problems.
- He shares a very intimate relationship with God, in which God is truly His confidant whom he leaned on

3. Going Deeper
Zooming into Psalm 7 as focus:

Historical background of Ps 7 -> 2 Samuel 16:5-14
Many bible scholars believed that the Benjamite, Cush which David wrote about in Ps 7, is actually Shimei in 2 Samuel 16. The verses show that Shimei cursed David when he was on the runaway from his son Absalom, and also throwing stones at him.

Special Note -> Watch David's response to the cursings of Shimei in 2 Sam 16:11-12.
- He did not retaliate with cursing or violence.
- He rebuked his follower Abishai who wanted to cut Shimei's head.
- David focused back unto God in the midst of the situation (2 Sam 16:12 'It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today')

In Psalm 7, we see that David:
- asked the Lord to check his heart if he did anything against Shimei
- Even in anguish, he asked God to deliver him because 'the Lord is his shield' (Ps 7:10)

4. Application
How do you know God's heart more?

David not only knew God's heart; his own heart was like Jesus.

In 2 Sam 19:18b-23 (which happened on the day that David was restored as King of Israel), Shimei came to David to repent and ask for forgiveness.

Once again, David's response was:
- He spared Shimei at once.
- He rebuked his follower Abishai again for wanting to put Shimei to death.
- And he even made an oath not to kill Shimei.

This brought me to remember the scene where Jesus was being arrested in the garden of Gethsemane in Luke 22:47-51.
Jesus' response was:
- He scolded his followers for wanting to strike with their swords, especially the one who cut off one of the enemy soldier's ears.
- Then he immediately healed the ear.

Notice how similarly David and Jesus responded?

*How to know God's heart closer and even have a heart that beats like His?
-> Cultivate an intimate relationship with God!